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Asthma Treatment Goals

Topic Overview

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
(AAAAI) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI)
have developed guidelines for getting
asthma under control. They list the goals of asthma
treatment as:footnote 1

Preventing long-term (chronic) symptoms that
interfere with daily living, such as coughing or shortness of breath during the
night or after exercise.

Maintaining lung function near the
personal best measurement.

Allowing the person to participate in
all activities of daily living, including work, school, and exercise. Treatment
to decrease nighttime symptoms and achieve uninterrupted sleep also is
important.

Preventing repeated asthma attacks.

Providing the best medicine treatment with the fewest possible side
effects.

Meeting your or your family's expectations for your or
your teen's asthma care. Effective treatment for asthma involves a partnership
between the person, his or her family, and the doctor.

Goals of treatment for pregnant women with asthma

The overall goals of treatment for pregnant women with asthma are the
same as for nonpregnant women with asthma. In addition, emphasis must be placed
on:footnote 2

Monitoring lung function throughout the
pregnancy to ensure adequate oxygen levels are present for the growing
fetus.

Avoiding and controlling triggers of asthma symptoms so that
medicine use may be decreased if possible during pregnancy.

Using
an asthma action plan to manage episodes, and encouraging an increase or
decrease in medicine as needed.

Educating the pregnant woman about
management of asthma during pregnancy.

Delivering a healthy
infant.

Definition of well-controlled asthma

The National
Asthma Education and Prevention Program considers your asthma is
well-controlled if you:footnote 3

Have asthma symptoms on 2 days a week or
less.

Use your quick-relief inhaler on 2 days a week or
less.

Have no asthma symptoms at night and do not wake up because
of asthma symptoms.

Can exercise, work, and go to school with no
limitations on your activity level.

National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (2005). Working Group Report on Managing Asthma During Pregnancy: Recommendations for Pharmacologic Treatment Update 2004 (NIH Publication No. 05-5236). Available online: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/lung/asthma/astpreg.htm.

National Institutes of Health (2007). National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (NIH Publication No. 08–5846). Available online: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/index.htm.

National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (2005). Working Group Report on Managing Asthma During Pregnancy: Recommendations for Pharmacologic Treatment Update 2004 (NIH Publication No. 05-5236). Available online: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/lung/asthma/astpreg.htm.

National Institutes of Health (2007). National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (NIH Publication No. 08–5846). Available online: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/index.htm.

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